Joshua 22 24

Joshua 22:24 kjv

And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?

Joshua 22:24 nkjv

But in fact we have done it for fear, for a reason, saying, 'In time to come your descendants may speak to our descendants, saying, "What have you to do with the LORD God of Israel?

Joshua 22:24 niv

"No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, 'What do you have to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?

Joshua 22:24 esv

No, but we did it from fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, 'What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?

Joshua 22:24 nlt

"The truth is, we have built this altar because we fear that in the future your descendants will say to ours, 'What right do you have to worship the LORD, the God of Israel?

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 24 Meaning

Joshua 22:24 articulates the primary motivation of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for building the altar by the Jordan River. Their actions were driven by a profound concern for the spiritual future of their descendants, fearing that geographical separation might lead their kin in generations to come to be excluded from the worship of the LORD, thus denying their rightful share in the covenant relationship with God. This verse reveals their deep commitment to preserving Israel's spiritual unity and shared inheritance in the LORD across tribal lines.

Joshua 22 24 Context

Joshua 22:24 is found within the narrative of a significant misunderstanding between the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) and the Cisjordanian tribes (the other nine and a half tribes). Having fulfilled their promise to help conquer Canaan, the Transjordanian tribes were dismissed by Joshua to return to their inheritance east of the Jordan. On their way, they built a large altar-like structure near the Jordan. This act immediately aroused suspicion among the Cisjordanian tribes, who feared it was an act of apostasy, a challenge to the LORD's singular altar at Shiloh, and an invitation for divine wrath upon all Israel, similar to the sin of Peor. In response, they assembled for war at Shiloh, sending an embassy led by Phinehas to confront the Transjordanian tribes. Verse 24 is part of the explanation given by the accused tribes, revealing their true, benevolent motive: to ensure that their descendants, separated by the Jordan River, would not be denied their religious identity and access to the LORD in future generations. It highlights the immense importance placed on communal worship and identity within early Israel.

Joshua 22 24 Word analysis

• But rather (כִּי בִדְחָגָה - ki vi-dekhaghah): "No, but on the contrary" or "indeed, on account of concern." This phrase signals a correction of the initial assumption. The particle כִּי (ki) can mean "for," "because," "that," but here, coupled with the context of dispelling a false assumption, it functions strongly as a denial followed by the true reason.

• we have done this (עָשִׂינוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה - asinanu et-ha-davar hazzeh): Emphasizes their direct agency and intentionality in building the altar-like structure. They are taking responsibility for their action and explaining its purpose.

• out of concern (מִדְּאָגָה - mi-de'agah): The Hebrew word דְּאָגָה (de'agah) means "anxiety," "solicitude," "worry," "concern." This highlights a proactive, preventative anxiety rather than a reaction to a present threat. It reveals foresight and a deep care for the religious well-being of future generations. It's a godly fear of losing spiritual connection, not a fear of physical harm.

• fearing (לֵאמֹר - lemor or implied from the מִדְּאָגָה): While לֵאמֹר technically means "saying" or "to say," here it functions as "lest" or "thinking that." It introduces the content of their concern. Their internal deliberation or the object of their anxiety is then stated. This is a common Hebrew construction for introducing the reason or substance of a feeling or action.

• that in time to come (מָחָר - machar): Literally "tomorrow" or "in the future." It conveys the idea of a future, unspecified time, beyond the present generation. It stresses their long-term perspective and their vision for the endurance of their covenant relationship with God.

• your descendants (בְּנֵיכֶם - bneichem): Literally "your sons," but idiomatically refers to all subsequent generations. This points to the other tribes’ children, emphasizing the potential division and the impact on the unity of Israel's collective future.

• might say (יֹאמְרוּ - yomru): Future tense, indicating a hypothetical future utterance. It's the dreaded words they want to prevent.

• to our descendants (לִבְנֵינוּ - livneinu): "To our sons," i.e., their own future generations. This highlights the concern for their own family lines maintaining their religious heritage.

• 'You have no share (אֵין לָכֶם חֵלֶק - ein lachem chelek): This is a crucial phrase. חֵלֶק (chelek) means "portion," "share," "inheritance," "part." Spiritually, it implies a claim, right, or inclusion. To have "no share" in the LORD means to be excluded from the covenant, from His blessings, from His presence, and from the people of God. This would be tantamount to being cut off from Israel and their religious identity, potentially forcing them into pagan worship. This is a polemic against future apostasy or the perception of it, thereby maintaining the singularity of YHWH worship within all Israel.

• in the LORD.' (בַּיהוָה - ba-Yahweh): The sacred covenant name of God. To have no share in YHWH is the greatest calamity, implying separation from the very source of their identity, blessings, and salvation as a nation. It is a terrifying prospect for the Israelites, signifying excommunication from the spiritual commonwealth.

• Words-group Analysis: "out of concern, fearing that in time to come your descendants might say to our descendants, 'You have no share in the LORD.'"This phrase captures the essence of preventative foresight driven by theological conviction. It shows a deep anxiety about generational discontinuity in their relationship with God. The geographical separation (Jordan River) presented a perceived risk of spiritual segregation. The construction of the altar was not for separate worship, but as a "witness" (Josh 22:27) to their common identity and equal "share" in the LORD and His worship, thus safeguarding against their future exclusion from the covenant community. It signifies a profound commitment to Israel's national, unified worship of Yahweh, directly counteracting any future claim that the Transjordanian tribes were somehow "less" Israelite or less connected to the central worship of God.

Joshua 22 24 Bonus section

The act of building the altar by the Transjordanian tribes, driven by the motive expressed in Josh 22:24, inadvertently serves as an early example of preventative apologetics within the Israelite community. They were not defending the current generation's faith, but proactively constructing a symbol to defend the future generation's right to full inclusion in the worship of Yahweh. The term "no share in the LORD" is a devastating theological verdict within Israel, equivalent to spiritual disenfranchisement or apostasy, indicating a separation from God's presence, blessings, and His chosen people. The fear of this accusation demonstrates how central access to YHWH and the shared worship at the tabernacle was to their corporate identity. This situation also underscores the fragility of national unity, especially in the context of settlement and potential geographical or cultural isolation, demanding vigilance to maintain theological purity and communal solidarity.

Joshua 22 24 Commentary

Joshua 22:24 encapsulates a fundamental principle of biblical faith: the paramount importance of ensuring that future generations maintain their covenant relationship with God. The Transjordanian tribes' actions were born not of rebellion or disloyalty, but from a legitimate, godly fear of spiritual estrangement. The geographical barrier of the Jordan River was not merely physical; they feared it could become a spiritual boundary, leading the western tribes to erroneously conclude that the eastern tribes' descendants had no rightful claim to the central sanctuary or the covenant itself. Their foresight highlights a profound theological awareness that belonging to Israel meant having an explicit "share in the LORD," through the established means of worship and covenant fidelity. This concern reflects the biblical emphasis on generational faithfulness and the passing down of a spiritual heritage, protecting against potential theological drift or communal division. Their altar was therefore a counter-statement, a visible declaration of their full Israelite identity and their shared worship of YHWH, acting as a "witness" (v. 27-28) to prevent such a devastating theological accusation. The entire episode serves as a powerful reminder of how easily misunderstandings can arise and how vital communication is, especially when dealing with matters of faith and unity, underscoring that perceived external acts should be examined for internal intent.Examples:

• Parents actively teaching their children about faith, attending worship, and participating in church life to ensure spiritual continuity.
• Churches prioritizing youth ministry and intergenerational discipleship to bridge gaps and maintain the body of Christ across ages.